The Guardian’s Post

The announcement that Gareth Southgate is standing down as England manager is a huge loss to the FA and to the game across England. During Gareth’s tenure at the FA he transformed the playing side of the FA from an organisation which was at times dysfunctional, chaotic and amateurish into a high performing and completely elite focussed team. It is worth remembering that Gareth took on the role of England manager by default; the FA’s plan to move in another direction self destructed before it got off the ground and Gareth was forced to step up from the U21s and the development pathway to fill the void - and boy how well he has done that! His deep knowledge of the talent pathway and his prior work with the youth players was a huge advantage to him and for England. There are parallels here in how Spain have recently promoted from within their own pathway with stunning effect on the performances of the national team. In the next few days no doubt the same armchair critics and pundits that were calling for Gareth’s head a few weeks back will now be promoting their own picks for manager, the “big names” and “winning pedigrees” will be rolled out in an almighty bunfight. I confess I don’t know who the right person for the job is, but… I would start by asking which candidates have an in depth knowledge and understanding of our talent pathway? Which coaches have worked successfully with players in the England pathway? Which candidates can demonstrate how they will maximise the opportunities that our deep talent pool will present to them? I would hope that the next England manager can engage effectively with the clubs and also be brave enough to hold their feet to the fire and call them out when they lose sight of their role and responsibility to nurture the next generation. The next manager will need to be a diplomat, be resilient, a great communicator and a leader. Someone who can front up but who can also delegate and still co-ordinate the ever more complex back room teams that support our national side. Of course the next person in the hot seat will need to set the philosophy and playing style, manage the game plans, front up the selections, the substitutions and every other element of game management. And if the next manager can do all this and still retain his dignity and calmness under the intense scrutiny that is sure to come their way then this person will have all the attributes that Gareth brought to the job and will be a fitting successor. Perhaps Gareths biggest legacy is that out of the chaos he has now created a template for the wide ranging skills and attributes that being Englands manager requires. I don’t envy the job that The FA have on their hands now, Gareth is Englands most successful manager since Sir Alf, these are big shoes to fill and I wish them good fortune in their search

As the transfer window really ramps up, here's our insight into the anatomy of a football transfer. Take it away Reevaldo and co! See https://lnkd.in/d_mKuzMx for more football related stories and legal insight. #sportslaw #footballagent #transferwindow

Opportunity to Send a Message: First, see the harrowing video below of pro-#Hamas thugs in #Malmo, #Sweden. So many of these "protestors" worldwide resort to violence, like #Hamas itself. The shots of police cowering inside and behind their vans are stunning (where are the Swedish riot control squads?). Meanwhile, 20-year old #Israeli singer Eden Golan has made it into the top 10 in the Eurovision Song Contest and will sing in the finals in Malmo tomorrow, Saturday, May 11. She's not only incredibly talented but unbelievably poised and courageous to be escorted by police back-and-forth yet still gave the gorgeous, moving performances that she does If you're so inclined, you can VOTE at this url, www.esc.vote, as of Friday May 10, 6:00 pm EDT. Voting ends "approximately 25 to 40 minutes" after the end of the final song performance on Saturday, May 11. You can submit up to 20 votes, at a cost of €.99 per vote, paid on a card from your country. This includes "nonparticipating" countries such as the US. Full instructions here: https://www.esc.vote Send a message. Stand up against #antisemitism and for #Israel's right to exist free of #genocidal attacks, as the world's only #Jewish state. And ask those in your own networks to do so as well. #antisemitism #antizionismisantisemitism #standwithisrael

Thanks, Nick and Mike for covering the event for me. If any of the delegates at the event want more information, it would be great to organize a follow-up meeting to discuss the benefits of using our services to protect and preserve estates. Unoccupied Direct Property Insurance can benefit you by providing specialized coverage for properties that are temporarily/long-term vacant. This ensures protection against risks such as vandalism, theft, or damage from environmental factors, which are more prevalent in unoccupied properties. This is particularly relevant to your role as a solicitor, as it helps you offer comprehensive solutions to clients dealing with unoccupied properties when they need help the most.#estateplanning #wealthmanagement #financialplanning

If you are interested in understanding the context and actors behind clashes of different football ultras and hooligans before the game between Serbia and England, check out this report 👇

#RBAglossary The rabona is a trick where a player crosses their kicking leg behind their standing leg to strike the ball, often used to add flair or compensate for a weaker foot. For instance, a right-footed player approaching the goal from the left side might lack confidence in their left-footed shot, so they use a rabona to take a stronger, more accurate shot with their dominant foot. Another scenario is when a right-footed winger is setting up a cross from the left flank and prefers not to cut inside. Even for players confident with both feet, the rabona can be an effective offensive move, catching defenders off guard or simply showcasing their skills. This complex move, originating from Argentina in 1948 and popularised in the 1970s by Giovanni Roccotelli, requires precision and practice. The term "rabona" comes from the Argentine phrase for "playing hooky," as it symbolises skipping the use of a weak foot. #FIFA World Cup 2022 winner and #SLBenfica player Angel Di Maria is known as a master of such tricks. https://buff.ly/47oiB02 #football #soccer #footballanalysis #RBAanalysis ---------------- Follow us for more insights!

The Power of the Pre-Game!! In both sports and business, the moments before the game or the project begins are often as critical as the execution itself. In Melbourne, where the spirit of teamwork, rallying, and competitiveness runs deep in our veins, I’ll argue that we understand this better than anyone. This footage is a perfect representation of it, Evie Victoria has become MVFC’s good luck charm! At the heart of our culture lies a powerful pre-game strategy— a ritual that not only prepares us for the challenge ahead but also binds us together with a shared vision and energy. It’s about more than just the mechanics of preparation; it’s about creating an atmosphere where the collective commitment to our goals charges the air. When we align our energies and focus on our objectives together, the dream doesn’t just take shape—it soars. This unity and shared excitement isn’t just exciting; it’s effective. Lets harness the pre-game magic that sets the stage for success. Because when the team works in harmony, the dream works in reality. This video gives me tingles 🙌🏽 #sports #pregame #energise #teamwork #powerofthepeople #melbourneculture #sportsculture #culture #teamwork #sales #goals #alfasihire #ewps #construction #takingpeoplehire

Ever since losing to Liverpool's teenagers, the mockery & criticism for Chelsea has reached new heights. The Chelsea players are being ridiculed & Pochettino is branded as a serial loser. A lot of the criticism coming Chelsea's way is true, but, the criticism is wrongfully directed towards the Chelsea players. In fact, I would argue that the players are the victims in this situation. Enzo & Caicedo, Chelsea's 220 million midfield duo has failed to live up to their price tag. That is a valid point. But, why do we criticize Enzo & Caicedo for not performing according to their transfer fees? They didn't decide the 220 million price tag for themselves. Benfica & Brighton demanded an outrageous transfer fees, & Chelsea’s owners decided to pay that price. Enzo & Caicedo are being criticized for a decision they didn’t make. The players are not living up to the price tag because Chelsea over paid for them. Would we be criticising Enzo & Caicedo if Chelsea paid 100 million for them? Why then, do we blame the player for failing to live up to the inflated price tag? Same is the case with Mudryk. He isn't performing like a 100 million winger because he isn't a 100 million winger. No one thought of Mudryk as being worth a 100 million until Chelsea paid that amount for him. Mudryk is the victim here. Enzo & Caicedo are the victims here. By paying such inflated transfer fees, not only have Chelsea handicapped themselves financially, but they have burdened their players with immense pressure. Instead of being focused on developing their game, these young players feel pressured to justify their transfer fees every time they step on the field. That is a terrible spot to be in for any player. Think about it, how many experienced superstars we have seen crumble under the pressure of a huge transfer fees. How many world class players failed to justify enormous price tags? Yet, Chelsea have placed their youngsters in this exact situation. Don't ask Mudryk, Enzo & Caideo why they aren't living upto their price tag. Don't ask this Chelsea squad why they aren't playing like a billion dollar squad. Instead, ask Todd Boehly & the rest of the ownership group why they paid such inflated fees to sign these players. Ask the owners why they thought it was a smart idea to burden these young players with the pressure of such huge transfer fees? Chelsea are in this mess not because of the players, but because Chelsea’s owner’s assembled this squad without having a clear vision & identity for the club. This once again reminds why smart ownership is necessary for a clubs' success. #sportswriting #chelseafc #footballanalysis #ToddBoehly https://lnkd.in/euyABAc9

#What #is #Gareth #Southgate's #legacy #as #he #steps #down #as #England #manager? – #video. Guardian journalist Barney Ronay explains what Gareth Southgate's legacy will be as he steps down as England manager after eight years in the role. Southgate led England to two finals, a quarter-final and a semi-final and is arguably one of the most successful managers the team has had. Support by fans took a 'dark turn' however when success became 'expected as a default' and some took umbrage at his politics once England began taking the knee. Due to this Southgate faced serious scrutiny and his legacy of success will be entwined with the criticism he received. What is Gareth Southgate's legacy as he steps down as England manager? – video. England fans may come to regret Southgate’s exit, claims Tom Heaton Manchester United goalkeeper was coach at Euro 2024. ‘He’s changed the feel of it. MChanged the expectation’ Jamie Jackson in Los Angeles Tom Heaton believes some fans may regret Gareth Southgate’s resignation, with the goalkeeper who was part of the coaching staff at Euro 2024 stating that people may come to regard the outgoing England manager as having done an “incredible job”. In eight years in charge, Southgate led England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the quarter-finals four years later, and to the finals of Euro 2020 and Euro 2024. Yet uneven form at the last of these caused a sizeable constituency of supporters to vent their ire, with Southgate drawing particularly fierce abuse. Two days after England’s 2-1 defeat by Spain, Southgate announced his resignation. The Manchester United keeper was asked if some fans may come to rue this. “I really do. If you think back to [England’s] track record, I think he’s changed the feel of it,” Heaton said. “We were all sort of excited to watch the games. We were performing well. Changed the expectation. I think we will come [to look] back to sort of go, ‘incredible job’.” Heaton said the squad wanted Southgate to stay. “That would be the case,” he said. “It is very rare in football you get a squad of players, the ones who aren’t playing, especially the ones used to playing every week, that every single person there wants to win it, they want to win it for the manager, he is a leader you want to follow. I think that would be the mentality. That’s how I feel, you want to win it for him because of what he’s done.” Heaton, who is United’s third-choice goalkeeper, signed a new one-year contract this month. “To be brutally honest, it has always been a massive driver to play. I had a couple of discussions with a few other people, but to be true to myself, it didn’t feel right,” he said. “The gut didn’t feel right. I’ve still got a big hunger to play. But I am hoping there are going to be opportunities to play. I wouldn’t sign if I didn’t think I was capable of delivering that.” Metin Tilki MBA

In a country where the national team is struggling with its performance, the true football passion lies in a curious phenomenon: the undying, sometimes alarming, loyalty of Bangladeshi fans to two far-off South American giants, Brazil and Argentina. Read my full article published in The Business Standard- https://lnkd.in/g6tWJrgz